Machine for folding and packing a sheet of cushioning material



Feb. 4, 1964 M. vAN ANTWERPEN ETAL 3,120,383

MACHINE EOE FOLDING AND PACKING A SHEET oF cUsHloNING MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1962 INVENTORS MARTTN VAN ANTWERPEN LESLIE G. FREE'DY ATTORNEYS Feb. 4, 1964 M. vAN ANTWERPEN ETAL 3,120,383

MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PACKING A SHEET 0F CUSHIONING MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1962 INVENTORS MARTIN VAN ANTWERPEN LESLIE e. FREEDY ATTORNEYS Fell 4, 1964 M. VAN ANTWERPEN ETAL 3,120,383

MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PACKING A SHEET OF CUSHIONING MATERIAL Filed March 5, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvENToRs MARTIN VAN ANTWERPEN v LESLIE cs. EREEDY ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1964 M. vAN ANTWERPEN ETAL 3,120,383

MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PACKING A SHEET OF CUSHIONING MATERIAL Filed March 5, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS MARTIN VAN ANTWERPEN LESLIE G. FREEDY ATTORNEYS Feb. 4, 1964 MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PACKING A SHEET OF' CUSHIONING MATERIAL Filed March 5, 1962 Z jay.

72 7 74 7l INVENTORS MARTI N VAN ANTWERPEN LESLIE G. FREEDY ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-Sheet v5 United States Patent O 3,120,383 MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PACKING A SHEET F CUSHIONING MATERIAL Martin Van Antwerpen, Milwaukee, and Leslie G. Freedy,

Wauwatosa, Wis., assignors to Variant Company, Ine.,

Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation Filed Mar. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 177,332 12 Claims. (Cl. 270-79) This invention appertains to the folding and packaging of a continuous sheet of material and more particularly to a novel machine for automatically folding a sheet back and forth on itself in a zig-zag fashion to form a compact bundle so that the same can be conveniently placed in a carton for shipping.

In the packaging industry, a large demand has developed for a cushioning and suspension strip for encircling the edge of fragile articles prior to the placing of the article in a carton. This strip includes a plurality of superimposed connected plies, namely, a straight base ply and one and/or two outer plies provided with outwardly extending cushioning peaks; the outermost of which are slotted to receive the edge of the article to be protected. The continuous sheet of this cushioning material is manufactured on an automatic machine and the sheet is slitted longitudinally to provide a plurality of separate strips. In View of the outwardly extending peaks, diculty is encountered in the economical packing of a slitted sheet for shipment to consumers. Initially, it was proposed to form a roll of this material for shipping. The outwardly extending peaks form a roll of large diameter, which increases cost of shipment due to the occupying of considerabie space. Likewise, difficulty is encountered in the protection of the roll during shipping.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a novel machine for receiving the continuous slitted peaked sheet either directly from the machine for making the same, or from a roll for automatically folding the sheet back and forth in the zig-zag fashion, with certain adjacent folds of the sheet facing, so that the peaks will inter-fit and other adjacent folds with the dat base plies lying back to back, whereby a compact bundle will be formed embodying a maximum length of material in a minimum amount of space.

Another salient object of the invention is to provide means for holding the bundle in a compacted form during the folding thereof and until the last fold is made, whereby a protecting carton can be slipped over the compacted bundle for shipping purposes.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a machine for the above purpose embodying a folding blade or paddle with means for moving the blade under the sheet; means for rotating the blade 'l a revolution to form a fold; withdrawing the blade laterally from the fold; rotating the blade another 1/2 revolution, and again moving the blade forwardly under the sheet to perform another cycle and so on until the bundle is made.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a simple and novel means for operating the folding blade in the various steps of the cycle of its movements so that a durable and efficient structure will be had.

Another still further important object of the invention is to provide novel means including releasable fingers or jaws engaging the opposite ends of the folds as they are formed to bring about the making of the compact bundle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a receding stacking table for receiving the folds as they are made operating in conjunction with the releasable fingers or jaws to form a bundle of a correct shape with the folds in line.

3,120,383 Patented Feb. 4, 1964 "Ice Another still further object of the invention is to provide a novel roller interposed between the folding machine and the roll of the slitted cushioning material, whereby to insure the transverse alignment of the peaks in the strips whereby all the peaks in the strips will be properly positioned to permit the interftting of the peaks during the forming of the folds.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings,

FIGURE l is a side elevational View, partly in section, of the novel folding machine, the machine being shown in a simplied or diagrammatic form;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the machine in its simplified form;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view through the machine taken on the line 3-3 of FlGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating more particularly the drive gear for rotating the folding blade and means cooperating therewith for bringing about certain movements of the folding blade;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational View partly in section of the bundle compacting table with the releasable jaws or lingers in their open position;

FlGURE 5 is a View similar to FIGURE 4, but showing the bundle in its completed form and with a carton inserted over the bundle incident to the packaging of the bundle.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspectivel View illustrating a portion of the slitted peaked cushioning strip being handled by the folding machine; l

FIGURE 7 is a view illustrating one preferred wiring diagram for the magnetic clutch utilized for controlling'y the rotation of the folding blade;

FIGURE 8 is a view illustrating one wiring diagram for opening and closing circuits to the solenoid valve utilized for actuating the operating ram for the releasable jaws or fingers, and

FIGURE 9 is a view illustrating one wiring diagram for controlling the opening and closing of circuits `to a solenoid valve for controlling the operation of a hydraulic 0r like ram for moving the folding blade back and forth under the sheet to be folded.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter M generally indicates the machine for folding a continuous peaked cushioning and packaging strip S. As illustrated the strip S is pulled off of a roll R of the material by the machine M during the operation. It is to be understood, however, that the cushioning sheet S can be received directly from the automatic machine utilized for fabricating the sheet.

As best shown in FIGURE 6, the sheet S includes a straight base ply 10, an intermediate ply 11, and an outer ply 12. These plies are secured together in any preferred way, such as by metal `stitches or by glue. The intermediate ply 11 and outer ply 12 :are provided with nested outwardly extending cushioning and protecting peaks 13. The outermost peaks are slitted, as at 1f4, to receive the edge off a fragile article to be protected. The sheet S is slitted longitudinally, as Iat 15, to provide a plurality of individual strips 16.

Disposed between the roll R and machine M is an aligning roller 17. This aligning roller 17 is lfreely 11ot-atable in hearings 18 carried by pedestals 19. `The roller itself is of a hollow cylindrical shape and is provided with equidistantly spaced slots 20, which extend ,longitudinally of the roller. These slots receive the peaks 13 so as to align all of the peaks in the strips 16 in case there has been any slippage between lthe strips and hence the sheet composed of a plurality of str-ips will have all of fthe peaks in transverse alignment during the folding of the sheet. This roll 17 besides performing its function of transversely aligning rows of peaks, also functions as a drag on the sheet during the folding thereof,` as will hereinafter become more apparent. It can be seen that the pedestals 19 carry a platform 20l and the sheet travels over this platform and under the roller 17.

The machine M includes `a suitable frame 21 located at one side of the path of travel of the sheet S and this frame is disposed in spaced relation to the sheet. Located directly under the sheet S and in advance of the frame 21 is a stacking or compacting table 22, the purpose of which, will hereinafter more fully appear. It is to be noted, that the stacking or compacting table 22 is located at one side of the longitudinal center of the frame 21. The frame 21 has mounted thereon spaced bearings 23 and 24, which are in longitudinal alignment. Slidably and rotatably mounted in the bearings 23 and 24 is a main operating shaft 25. Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft is a hub 26 and this hub is confined between the bearings 23 and 24. Thus, the hub can be provided with a key' 27 and the shaft can be provided with a keyway 28. The shaft 25 slides within the hub, but the hub rotates with the shaft during the rotation thereof and in fact, the hub with the other elements constitutes means for rotating the shaft. Secured to the hub 26 is a sprocket wheel 29. A drive motor is provided for rotating the sprocket wheel 29 and connected with the armature shaft of the motor 30 is a magnetic clutch 31. Connected to the output side of the clutch is a sprocket wheel 32. A sprocket chain is trained about the sprocket wheels 29 and 32. When the clutch 31 is engaged and the circuit is closed through the motor, the shaft 25 is rotated. Rigidly secured to the forward end of the shaft lis a folder blade 34 and this folder blade is movable back and forth with the shaft under the sheet S and away from the sheet S. The blade 34 extends radially from the -fonward end of the shaft, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The extreme forward end ofthe shaft 25 carries a forwardly extending rod 35 which cooperates with the `folder blade 34, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out. The stacking or folding table 22 is so positioned that when the folder blade 34 is swung to one of its positions for making a fold in the sheet, the blade will be disposed directly on top of the table.

The shaft 25 Iis slid back and forth to and from the sheet by a desired type of mechanism, which can include a hydraulic ram 36 mounted upon the frame 21. This ram I36 includes a cylinder 37 and a reciprocating piston rod 38 terminating in a yoke 39. The arms of the yoke receive therebetween an operating lever 40 and the yoke is pivotally connected to the lever 40 at a point intermediate its ends, as at 41. The forward end of the lever is rockably mounted upon the frame 21, as at 42. The inner end of the lever is pivotally connected, as at 43, to a collar 44 which rotatably receives the shaft 25. This collar, however, is conned on the shaft for sliding movement therewith. As .the piston rod 38 is moved back and forth, the lever 40 is operated so as to move the shaft 25 back and forth. The shaft 25 and lever 40l are shown in full lines (see FIG. 2) in a forward position with the blade 34 under the sheet S in advance of the table 22, and the shaft with the lever 40 is shown in dotted lines in its pulled back position with the blade 34 moved from under the sheet and at one side thereof.

Considering that the sheet S has been pulled off of the roll R and threaded under the roller 17 and to a point over thetable'22 by hand, then the machine, from that point on, will operate automatically. The rst movement of the machine (see FIGS. l and 2), is `the operation of the ram 36 for moving the shaft 25 forwardly' with the blade 34 under the sheet and in fron-t of the table 22. With the movement of the blade under the sheet, the rod 35 slides through a row Of transversely aligned peaks in the sheet S. The next step of the machine is the energizing of `the magnetic clutch 31 to rotate the shaft 25 and the shaft rotates a substantially `1/z revolution, and when such motion has been completed the clutch 31 is deenergized. During the swinging of the folder blade 34 with the shaft, the sheet S is carried -therewith and the rod 35 holds the sheet against movement at the point of a fold and the sheet is carried over the table. The peaked faces of the folds of the sheet are brought together and the peaks inter-fit. With the swinging of the blade and the folding of the sheet, the base ply of the sheet lies on opposite sides of the blade. The next step, is `the de-energizing of the magnetic clutch and stopping of the rotation of the shaft 25. Substantially, simultaneous with the deenergizing of the magnetic clutch 31, the ram 36 is again set in yoperation and the shaft is slid inwardly over the frame 21 and the folder blade 34 is withdrawn from between the folds of the sheet and the base ply of the sheet at this fold will fit at against one another. Upon the withdrawal of the blade 34 and the rod 35 from the sheet the magnetic clutch is again energized and the shaft and blade make another 1/2 revolution, and when this turn is completed the magnetic clutch is de-energized and the ram 36 is again set in operation for moving the blade 34 and rod 35 in engagement with the sheet, and one cycle is completed and the second cycle etc. continues.

The controls for the various steps in the cycle will be later set forth and the operation and construction of the stacking and compacting table 22 will now be described.

The stacking and compacting table 22 includes a frame 45 briefly consisting of spaced upright vertical plates 46 and 47, which constitute guides for the folds of the sheet during the forming of a bundle. Slidably mounted between the plates 46 and 47 for up and down movement is a table top 48 upon which the folds are received. The table is carried by a series of pivotally connected toggle links 49 forming a lazy tong construction. Certain of the links of the lazy tong construction are connected by contractile coil springs 50 and these springs function to draw the links toward one another to normally hold the table top 48 in a raised position. In order to hold the folds of the bundle being made in a compacted and properly nested position on the table top 48 end holding means 51 and 52 are provided. The front holding means 51 includes a swinging lever 53 rockably mounted at its lower end on a pivot 54 carried by the plate 46. The upper end of the swinging lever 33 terminates in an inwardly curved jaw 55 which moves back and forth over the table. The holding means 52 includes a swinging lever 56, which is rockably mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot 57 carried by the plate 47. The levers 53 and 56 are interconnected for simultaneous movement through the use of a link 5S. This link is pivotally connected, as at 59, to the lower end of the lever 56. The opposite end of the link 58 is pivotally connected to the lever 53, as at 60, at a point above the pivot 54. The extreme upper end of the lever 56 has pivotally connected thereto, as at 61, a jaw 62 and this jaw in one of its positions extends over the table and is normally drawn down over the table and the folds of the strip being made by a contractile coil spring 63. This spring has its opposite ends connected respectively to the jaw 62 and to the lever 56. At this time, it is to be noted that the jaw 62 is provided with a terminal or tail 64, the purpose of which, will be later set forth.

The holding means 51 and 52 are actuated through a suitable mechanism which can embody a hydraulic or like rarn 65. This ram can be mounted on a bracket 66 secured to the plate 47. The ram piston 67 is pivotally connected to the lever 56 by means of a pivot rod 68 and this pivot is located approximately intermediate the ends of the lever. The ram cylinder has secured thereto an upstanding stop plate 69, disposed in the path of movement of the tail 64 of the jaw 62 during the swinging ofthe lever 56.

As the folder blade 34 swings toward the table top 48, the ram 65 is operated and the rod 67 moves inwardly swinging the lever 56 away from the table top and at this moment the tail 64 engages the plate 69 and the jaw 62 is swung completely away from the table top and out of the path of the movement of the folder blade. Simultaneous with the movement of the lever 56, the lever 53 with this jaw is also swung away from the table (see FIG. 4). This allows the folder blade 34 to move downwardly on top of the table and to compact the folds to form the bundle and the blade tends to push the table top 4S down. When the fold has been completed and the folder blade moves laterally back and out from under a fold the ram 65 is again actuated and the holding means moves back over the table and into engagement with the bundle being formed.

When a desired number of folds have been made to form a bundle of a preferred height, then the ram 65 is operated so as to move the holding members 51 and 52 away from the table and the strip is severed by any preferred means, and a carton C is placed in an inverted form over the bundle. The table top 48 is raised manually with the help of the springs Si) and the bundle with the carton is then removed from the table and the aps of the carton can be sealed. The compacted bundle is then ready for shipment and the bundle will be effectively protected. The strip can then again be manually pulled over the table top and the machine is set for automatic operation for the forming of another bundle.

To bring about the proper automatic operation of the machine, electric switches and 71 are mounted on the stationary bearings 23 and 24 for the shaft 25 and these switches are disposed on opposite sides of the sprocket Wheel 29. Each of these `Switches include swinging switch levers 72 and 73 and carry antifriction rollers 74 at their inner ends. The opposite sides of the sprocket wheel 29 have rigidly secured thereto operating cams 75 and 76, and the rollers 74 are disposed in the path of the movement of these cams during the turning of the sprocket wheel so as to bring about the actuation of these switches, for a purpose, which will later appear. On the other side of the shaft 25 and at approximately 180 degrees from the switches 7@ and 71 are switches 77 and 78. The switch 77 embodies a swinging switch lever 79 and the switch 78 embodies a swinging switch lever 80. The inner ends of the switch levers carry rollers 81 which are disposed in the path of the movement of the cam '76 so that when the sprocket 29 makes a half revolution from the switch 70 and 71 such cam will actuate the switches 77 and 78. At this time, it is to be noted that switches 71, 77 and 78 are three-way switches and that the levers 79 and S0 are spring returned to a normal position after the actuation thereof by a cam 76. The sprocket wheel 29 also has secured thereto an operating cam 82, which is located approximately 180 degrees from the cams 75 and 76 and this cam 82 forms means for operating the switch 7i) at a certain time to bring about the stopping of the rotation of the shaft 25 by opening a circuit for the magnetic clutch 31.

Control switches 83 and 84 are mounted on the frame 21 of the machine and are actuated by the sliding of the shaft 25 and its folder blade 34. The switch 83 embodies a swinging lever 85 carrying an antifriction wheel 36. The switch S4 embodies a swinging switch lever 87, carrying an antifriction roller 8S. The switch S3 is disposed in the path of the movement of the folder blade 34 when the same is pulled inwardly from between folds of the strip and this switch is employed for closing a circuit through the magnetic clutch 31 to permit the rotation of another 1/i revolution of the shaft. The collar 44 carried by the inner end of the shaft 25 has rigidly secured thereto an arm S9 and this arm 39 is adapted to strike the lever of the switch 84 to close a circuit through the magnetic clutch 31 to bring about another l/z revolution of the shaft.

Carried by the bracket '66 in advance of the ram- 65 is a three-way -switch and this switch embodies a swinging lever 91 carrying Ian antifriction roller 92, which is disposed in lthe path of the swinging movement of the lever 56 forming a part of the bundle holding means and when the lever is swung back to -a jaw open position the same operates the switch 90 to close a circuit for bringing about operation of the ram 36 to slide the shaft 25 `and its paddle 34 back from between folds of the sheet and just prior to the ro-tation of the `shaft and its paddle back to a new cycle of operaion.

Now referring to FIGURES 7, `8 and 9, and more particularly -to FIGURE 7, wherein is shown the position of the switches 70, 84 and 83. These three switches control the opening and closing of the circuit through the magnetic clutch 31 and thus these switches control the rotation of the shaft 25 and paddle 34. Feed and return wires 93 and 94 lead to the magnetic clutch and one of the wires can have interposed therein a manu-ally operated switch 96. The wire 94 has interposed therein the switch 70 and bridging the switch 70 are bridge wires 97 and 93. The switch 84 is interposed in the bridge wire 97 and the switch 483 is interposed in the bridge wire 918.

Now referring more particularly to FIGURE 8, wherein is shown .the means for controlling the operati-on of the bundle holding means 51 and 52, it can be seen that a solenoid operated valve 99 is provided for controlling the flow of fluid to and from the opposite ends of the ram 615. The solenoid of the valve 99 has Ileading to the terminals the feed and return lwires 100 `and 101. Interposed in the wire 101 are three-#way switches 77 and 78. As heretofore brought out, the -switch levers 79 and 80 of these switches are spring returned and Ithe same are of the ratchet type, i.e., when the switch levers 79 and 80 are moved to the right (see lFIGS. I3 and 8), the switches are -operated to move their bridge strips '102 and 10'3- to one position and 'when the cam 7 6 passes thereby the levers 79 and 89 return to their normal positions and ratchet back to leave the bridge strips 11112 and 103 in this actuated position. Briefly, at this time, and considering that the blade 34 is moving tow-ard the table top 48 and the cam 76 is reaching switch 77, the cam 76 will operate switch 77 to close a circuit through the solenoid of valve 99, and permit the flow .of iluid tothe front end of the ram cylinder for opening the jaws or bundle holding means 51 and 52. When the blade is withdrawn from the fold and a circuit has been closed through lthe magnetic clutch 31 and the shaft 25 starts rotating, then the cam 76 Iwill actuate switch 78 and the solenoid for permitting ttluid to flow to the outer end of the cylinder of the ram e5 for closing the jaws or bundle holding means 51 and 52. The switches 77 and 78 and wiring therefor are conventional; however, the switch 77 embodies spaced contacts 1114, 195, 106 and 107. Three-way switch 103 embodies like contacts 13S, 1&9, 11i? and 111. `Contacts '104, 107, 109' and 110 are connected to the wire 161. Contacts 105 and 16S of switches 77 and 78 are connected by a wire v112. Contacts 166 and .111 of switches 77 and 78 are connected by a w-ire 113'. In the position shown in FIGURE 8 the circuit is open to solenoid of valve 99. Now considering that switch 77 is operated and the -bridge strip 102 is moved to bridge contacts 164 and 106, the current flow is through wire 101, bridge strip 102, wire 113, through bridge strip 103, through contact 109 to the solenoid. As switch 7-8 is actuated strip |163 moves to bridge contacts 1118 and 110 and the circuit is again opened to the solenoid.

Now referring particularly to FIGURE 9, it can be seen that a solenoid operated valve 114 is employed for controliing the flow of fluid to and fro from the opposite ends of the ram 36 which is employed `for sliding the shaft 25 back and forth. Feed and return wires 115 and 116 lead to the solenoid of this valve and the wire 116 has incorporated therein the three-way switches 71 and 9d. The switches 71 and 9d and `wiring therefor are conventional, but it can be seen that the switch 7,1 includes four contacts 117, 118, 119 and 120 and a bridge strip 121 therefor. The switch 90 includes spaced contacts 122, 123, 124 and 125 and a bridge strip 126 therefor.

'Ihe contacts 117 and 120 are in the line 116 and contacts 123 and i124 are in line 115.

Contacts 118 and 122 are connected by a wire 127 and contacts 119 and 125 are connected by a wire 128. In the position shown in FIGURE 9, the switch strips 121 and `126 are in circuit closed position for the solenoid of valve 114, and in this position switch 71 has been operated so that the ram 36 will be actuated to move the shaft out with the paddle under the strip S, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 9. When switch 90 is operated by lever 56 of the bundle holding means 52, bridge strip or blade l126 of switch 90 will move to contacts 123 and 125 to open the circuit to the solenoid so as to permit the return of the solenoid to an initial position for reversing the flow of fluid through the ram 36 and so that the ram will move in an opposite direction to pull the shaft and blade inwardly with the blade from between the folds. On the next operation of the switch 71 the current flow will be through wire 116, contact 117, bridge strip 121, wire 128, contact 125, bridge strip 126, contact 123 back through wire 115, for bringing about the operation of the solenoid to reverse the iiow of uid to the ram 36 for moving the paddle outwardly and under the paper strip.

Now in operation and in proper sequence of operating the various switches, the following takes place. As shown in full lines in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the folder blade 34 has been moved outwardly and under the strip S at one side of the stacking or compacting table 45 and the arm 89 carried by the shaft 25 will actuate switch 84, as shown in FIGURE 7, and the circuit is closed through the magnetic clutch 31 and the paddle blade starts to make its 1/2 revolution toward the table to make a fold and the sprocket wheel 29 is rotating in a clockwise direction, and cams 75 and 76 leave switch 70 and 71 and cam 76 then operates switch 77 to actuate solenoid valve 99 to pull open the bundle retaining means 51 and 52 and the blade completes its fold. Cam S2 is reaching switch 7i) to open the circuit to magnetic clutch 31 and at this time lever 56 of the bundle holding means has actuated switch 90 so that the shaft 25 with its blade will move inwardly. As soon as arm 89 rides away from switch lever 87 of switch 84, the lever springs back to also open the circuit through the magnetic clutch. When the blade is pulled inwardly the same operates switch 83 and the circuit through the magnetic clutch is closed and the shaft Continues onehalf a revolution. Switch 70 has sprung back to its closed position and the circuit is held closed through the magnetic clutch as the blade leaves switch S3, and this switch then springs back to its normal open position. Upon the completion of the half revolution, switch 70 is again operated by cam 75 and switch 71 is operated by cam 76. The closing of switch 71 again operates the solenoid valve 114 and the blade is pushed under the cushioning strip. This completes one cycle of operation and the second cycle etc. immediately starts again. It might be noted that after the opening of the bundle holding means 51 and 52 that switch 78 is operated to close the holding means.

For convenience the roll R can be mounted on a cart G so that the roll can be readily wheeled from the forming machine to the folding machine.

It can be seen that as the blade or paddle 34 starts its 1/2 revolution for swinging movement over the receiving table, that the roller 17 and platform 20 will function as a drag on the strip so as to prevent the strip from being pulled too rapidly off of the roll R. This will prevent any sag or looseness in the sheet during the various folding steps.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, a horizontally disposed receiving and compacting table for the bundle with the sheet initially fed over the table from the front thereof, a rotatable and reciprocable folding blade having its axis located adjacent to the front edge of the table, the folding blade being normally disposed back at one side of the table and clear of the table, means for moving the blade forwardly and under the sheet in front of the table, means for rotating the blade a half revolution and over the table for carrying the sheet therewith in a fold, means for moving the blade rearwardly and away from the table and from between the fold, means for rotating the blade another half revolution to position the blade back to its initial place ready for its second cycle of movements.

2. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as delined n claim 1, and means operable with the blade for engaging and holding the sheet adjacent the forward edge of the table at the point of the fold during the first one-half revolution of the blade.

3. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as defined in claim l, and releasable jaws carried by the receiving table for holding the sheet in its folded condition.

4. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as defined in claim 3, and means for moving the jaws away from the table and the sheet during the rotary movement of the blade as the same reaches the table.

5. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as defined in claim 4, and said table also including a table top movable up and down in a vertical path below the jaws t0 compensate for the size of the bundle being formed.

6. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as delined in claim 2, and means disposed in advance of the receiving table and the folding blade for engaging the sheet to retard its movement toward the table during the folding thereof and the initial half revolution of the blade.

7. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as defined in claim 6, and said retarding means including a platform over which the sheet travels and a roller disposed above the platform engaging the upper surface of the sheet.

8. In a machine for folding a continuous cushioning and packaging sheet of the type including a plurality of plies with one of said plies including a plurality of equidistantly spaced rows of cushioning peaks, a receiving and compacting table for the folds of the sheet with the sheet initially fed over the table from the front thereof, a rotatable and reciprocable folding blade having its axis located adjacent to the forward edge of the table, the folding blade being normally disposed back at one side of the table and the sheet, means for moving the blade forwardly and under the sheet in front of the table, means operable with the blade for movement in a row of peaks for holding the sheet at a fold, means for rotating the blade a half revolution and over the table and carrying the sheet therewith in a fold around said means for holding the sheet, means for moving the blade and said sheet holding means rearwardly and away from the table and from between the fold and means for rotating the blade another half revolution to position the blade back to its initial point ready for its second cycle of movement.

9. Ina machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself in a zig-zag fashion to form a compact bundle, said sheet being of the type lincluding a plurality of superimposed connected plies, with the last of said plies having a plurality of outwardly extending equidis- `tantly spaced transverse rows of peaks, said sheet being slit longitudinally to provide a plurality of strips, a receiving and compacting table for the bundle with the sheet initially fed over the table from the front end thcreof, a rotatable and reciprocable folding blade having its axis located adjacent to the forward edge ofthe table, the folding blade being normally disposed back of yand at one side of the table, means for moving the blade forwardly and under the sheet in Vfront of the table, a rod movable with the blade for engaging in a trans-verse row of the peaks to hold that point of the sheet against movement, means for rotating the blade a half revolution and over the table for carrying the sheet therewith and around the rod in a fold, means for moving the blade with the rod rearwardly away from the table and from between the fold, means for rotating the blade another half revolution to position the blade back to its initial -point ready for its second cycle of operation, and means disposed in advance of the blade and in front of the table for aligning the peaks of the strips in a direct transverse row.

10. In a machine for `folding a continuons sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as deiined in claim 9, and said last named means including a platform and a freely rotatable roll disposed above the platform with the sheet `fed between the platform and the troll, and said roll having a plurality of equidistantly spaced longitudinally extending slots for receiving the peaks of the sheet.

11. In a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to formy a compact bundle, as defined in claim 1t), and releasable jaws carried by the opposite ends of the table and normally disposed over the folds of the sheet to hold the sheet in its folded condition and means for moving the jaws away from the table during the rotary movement of the blade toward said table.

l2. ln a machine for folding a continuous sheet back and forth on itself to form a compact bundle, as set forth rin claim ll, and said table including a spring pressed receding table top movable downward below the jaws as the folds are being made.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS Hayden et al July 12, 1955 Norrholm Dec. 6, 1960 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR FOLDING A CONTINUOUS SHEET BACK AND FORTH ON ITSELF TO FORM A COMPACT BUNDLE, A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED RECEIVING AND COMPACTING TABLE FOR THE BUNDLE WITH THE SHEET INITIALLY FED OVER THE TABLE FROM THE FRONT THEREOF, A ROTATABLE AND RECIPROCABLE FOLDING BLADE HAVING ITS AXIS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE TABLE, THE FOLDING BLADE BEING NORMALLY DISPOSED BACK AT ONE SIDE OF THE TABLE AND CLEAR OF THE TABLE, MEANS FOR MOVING THE BLADE FORWARDLY AND UNDER THE SHEET IN FRONT OF THE TABLE, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE BLADE A HALF REVOLUTION AND OVER THE TABLE FOR CARRYING THE SHEET THEREWITH IN A FOLD, MEANS FOR MOVING THE BLADE REARWARDLY AND AWAY FROM THE TABLE AND FROM BETWEEN THE FOLD, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE BLADE ANOTHER HALF REVOLUTION TO POSITION THE BLADE BACK TO ITS INITIAL PLACE READY FOR ITS SECOND CYCLE OF MOVEMENTS. 